Plan this opinion essay about cities with the ideas and outline below, write it on a 40-minute timer, then compare it with a band-8 model answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Foreign tourists should be charged more than local residents for entry to museums, parks and historic sites.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.
Pick two or three points from one or both columns. You do not need all of them, and your own examples score better than memorised ones.
Spend the first few minutes planning, then write.
0 words of 250 minimum
Your answer stays on this page only. Copy it before you leave.
Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
Some people suggest that foreign tourists should pay higher entry fees than local residents at museums, parks and historic sites. I agree with this proposal to a large extent.
The main argument is that these places are maintained largely by local taxpayers. Residents contribute through taxes to the upkeep of monuments and galleries throughout the year, whereas visitors use them only briefly. It is therefore reasonable for visitors to make an additional contribution. The extra revenue can be significant: in Egypt and India, foreign visitors already pay many times the local price for entry to famous sites, and the money funds restoration work that would otherwise be unaffordable. Lower prices for residents also ensure that heritage remains accessible to the people whose history it represents. If a family in Cairo could not afford to see the pyramids, the sites would lose much of their purpose.
In addition, tourists are generally better placed to pay. Most have chosen to spend considerable sums on flights and hotels, so a higher ticket price is unlikely to change their decision to visit, while it could make a real difference to a local family on a modest income.
Nevertheless, there are some risks. If the difference is excessive, visitors may feel exploited and choose other destinations. The system also needs to be transparent, with clear signs explaining where the extra money goes, and it should apply fairly to foreign residents and students who live in the country.
In conclusion, charging tourists more raises funds for conservation and keeps attractions affordable for residents. Provided the price difference is reasonable and openly explained, I agree with the idea.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| entry fee | price to enter |
| local resident | person living in the area |
| two-tier pricing | different prices for different groups |
| cultural attraction | place of interest |
| upkeep | cost of maintenance |
| discriminatory | treating groups unfairly |
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